Special Olympics Caribbean meeting reinvigorates SOSVG

The Special Olympics Caribbean Business Meeting held in Jamaica last week proved to be a time for renewal for Special Olympics programs in the Caribbean.{{more}}

The Special Olympics St Vincent and the Grenadines (SOSVG) team comprised Special Olympics athlete Ornoro John, Board chair Sir Errol Allen, Law Enforcement Torch Run representative ASP Jonathan Nichols and national director Janice McMaster. Ornoro John, the athletes’ representative an the delegation, said that he gained a much better understanding of the divisioning process and the rules set-up of Bocce and how to successfully set up an Athlete Leadership Program. He also said that he was able to reconnect with many long-time friends.

McMaster commented that attending the Special Olympics Caribbean Business meeting has given her a better knowledge of how to effectively and efficiently run the SOSVG program.

She said “I am more energised and my goal for next year is to see SOSVG once again take part in the World Games and our ‘Take us to the World’ campaign will raise funds to send 27 athletes to the World Games next year, 2015, in Los Angeles… we are going to the World, I am positive of that.”

During the meeting a regional taskforce of five representatives from the Caribbean was established to move forward and strengthen Special Olympics across the Caribbean. Janice McMaster was selected to be part of the team.

There was a special session for Law Enforcement Torch Run representatives with respect to improving how they can collaborate efficiently with Special Olympics programs and raise funds, so that the athletes can benefit more from major competitions such as Special Olympics National, Regional and World Games.

Special Olympics SVG is setting up its ‘Take us to the World’ committee to assist in the national fund-raising campaign to enable athletes to compete at the World Games. It is expected that between now and next year SOSVG would have raised $350,000 to make this dream a reality. If you would like to support the drive to ‘Take us to the World,’ contact Janice McMaster at Special Olympics SVG info@sosvg.org